Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew insists the idea of opting out of international duty is one he has never considered.
Blackburn Rovers player Mulgrew has won 38 caps for the national team, and was one of few experienced campaigners who made the trip to South America for the friendly double header against Peru and Mexico in the summer.
The 32-year-old, who is part of Alex McLeish’s squad to face Israel and Portugal this week, says he has resisted the wishes of several club managers throughout his career, insisting only injury would keep him away from the Scotland squad.
Mulgrew said: “I have spoken about coming away to Scotland before to the club manager. Every club manager I have played under would rather you stayed at your club. That’s just the way it is. Tony Mowbray is actually one of the better ones I have worked with in terms of this.
“I can understand it because from a selfish point of view they want their players ready to go and get some rest.
“I have said it before that I love playing for Scotland. You are a long time retired. As long as I can do it I will give it everything I’ve got.
“I’ve always turned up. It would need to be proper injuries to have kept me away.
“I feel fit and healthy and I also feel being away from Scotland helps me. I don’t like to take a lot of time off. Maybe as I get older and get into my late thirties I’ll think it’s better to have three or four days rest, but right now, as it stands, I am happy and desperate to be here.”
Attacker Leigh Griffiths has been a notable withdrawal from McLeish’s squad, claiming he needs to use the international break to work on his fitness, but former Hoops and Aberdeen player Mulgrew says there will be no ill-feeling should he return, adding: “That’s Leigh’s decision. If that’s what he thinks and feels is right, to use the extra days to work on his fitness, then that’s between himself, Celtic and Scotland.
“I assume it’s best for him. It’s his decision. There wouldn’t be an issue if we came back in. There is a good bunch of boys here, we got won, work hard and have respect for each other. People will respect his decision and hope, when Leigh does come back in, that he is ready to play.”
Mulgrew hopes to be part of a squad that ends what will be a 22-year absence from major tournaments by the time EURO 2020 comes around, with a victory in Haifa tomorrow moving the Scots a step closer to winning their Nations League group which would confirm a play-off spot.
Mulgrew added: “It looks good but past squads have also looked good on paper. It’s about doing it. It’s all right talking about it and saying it looks good, but we’re all aware it’s about doing it.”
